Spraying methods and apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus, preferably adapted to spray a veterinarian preparation. The apparatus includes: (a) a mixture delivery line to deliver preparation from a source through a lance to a mixture chamber, and (b) air delivery lines to deliver air from a source through a lance to a mixing chamber, and (c) control means for controlling the rate of delivery of mixture and/or air to the mixing chamber, and (d) a nozzle, wherein the arrangement and configuration of the mixing chamber is such that the venturi effect is harnessed to effectively mix the preparation and air, carrying and/or atomising the preparation to spray same. Methods of applying a veterinarian products or preparations using the above spray device are also disclosed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to improvements in or relating to sprayingmethods and apparatus. More particularly, it relates to spraying methodsand apparatus that may be specifically adapted to permit the effectivespraying of substantially viscous liquids. However, the invention is notto be limited to such use, and hence the prior art and possibleapplications of the invention as discussed below are given by way ofexample only.

BACKGROUND ART

Application of substances to a substrate by spraying is a convenientmethod of application in that good coverage usually ensues, that is alarge surface area can quickly and easily be sprayed, with less effortexpended and with less mess than with more direct means of applyingsubstances to a substrate. Further, sprayed substances are more easilyable to penetrate through substances due to the force with which thesubstance is ejected from the sprayer. Thus, spraying devices are many,and range in construction and potential application from aerosol cansthrough to hand pumped garden spray applicators through to powerfulwater sprayers using compressed air as a propellant.

One particular example where the application of products to a substrateby spraying is advantageous and desirable is in the dairy industry,particularly with regards to applying antiseptic or medical products tocows teats and udders. One particular bacterial infection for which theapplication of antibacterial substances is desirable is mastitis, whichis a bacterial infection of the mammary glands of the cow. In additionto being a painful and unsightly infection, a main problem is that milkfrom mastitis infected cows is not permitted to be supplied to mostdairy companies for distribution to and consumption by the generalpublic. Hence, having one or more cows infected with mastitis duringmilking season can potentially prove very costly to the farmer. Whilstmastitis can be cured, clearly it is far more advantageous to preventany occurrence of mastitis in the first place.

Whilst traditionally environmental and contagious forms of mastitis havebeen problematic for farmers, in present times environment mastitis isthe more prevalent mode of infection. Environmental mastitis isprimarily caused by infection of the mammary gland with streptococcusbacteria. Direct application of antibacterial solutions such as iodinepreparations by spraying on the solutions or dipping the teats directlyinto the solutions have been used.

In most milking situations direct application of the treatments eg bydipping teats is difficult and time consuming. Cows may, for example,kick the container of preparation from the farmer's hands, or otherwisedisrupt or delay the application process. Spraying on of treatmentpreparations is accordingly considered a more desirable treatment ofapplying these treatments.

To date the only commonly used sprayable treatments have been the lessorfavoured iodine-based preparations. These preparations have beenatomised and applied through product pressurised equipment. Productpressurised spraying equipment is generically available and will befamiliar to the workers skilled in the art. However, it will beappreciated that purchasing and installing a product pressurisedspraying system involves a significant purchase and set up cost and,further, has difficulties in operation. This is because productpressurised spraying equipment requires the product to completely fillthe delivery lines. Depending on the distance of the pump to the sprayhead this means a significant volume of the preparation will be presentthroughout the delivery system and consequently large volumes ofpreparation are required to operate the delivery system. This results inongoing costs in purchasing significant volumes of treatment preparationbut furthermore causes significant ongoing running costs due to thenecessity of replacement of exposed parts of the equipment. Suchpreparations are often reactive and/or corrosive and all exposedcomponents of the equipment eventually need to be replaced. Furthermore,because of the large volume of treatment preparation contacting theexposed parts of the equipment, it is difficult and time consuming toeffectively flush and clean the equipment. Furthermore, because of thesignificant volume of preparation required to operate the deliverysystem, flushing and cleaning also results in a significant wastage ofunused preparation remaining in the equipment.

Particularly effective mastitis treatments have been developed by AlcideCorporation (USA) and are sold under the trade mark UDDERGOLD™.UDDERGOLD™ treatments are a teat sanitiser that has proven to beespecially effective against environmental pathogens, and are oftenconsidered to be the treatment of choice for the control of bothenvironmental and contagious mastitis. UDDERGOLD™ treatment is providedin a two-pot mixture which when mixed has a limited shelf life of lessthan 24 hours. Furthermore, the mixed UDDERGOLD™ treatment is quiteviscous, unlike iodine solutions that are essentially the same densityof water and are easily atomised.

To date, UDDERGOLD™ treatments have not been able to be spray applied inan effective manner. Presently, the treatment mixture is made up andthen directly applied by teat dipping. The reason it has been unable tobe applied by commonly used product pressurised equipment is primarilydue to its viscosity. The spray heads of such equipment have simply beenunable to atomise the mixture. However, there are additional problemswith attempting to apply UDDERGOLD™ treatment with product pressurisedspraying equipment. As noted above, the UDDERGOLD™ treatment has alimited shelf life, which means that shortly after use the equipmentmust very shortly thereafter be flushed and cleaned with consequentwastage of preparation present in the equipment. The preparation iscostly and the flushing of unused preparation represents loss of incomefor the farmers. Furthermore, the flushing and cleaning is rendereddifficult as the UDDERGOLD™ treatment, due to its viscosity when mixed,is a tenacious and difficult product to clean off surfaces it contacts.It is also corrosive and/or reactive to the surfaces it contacts.Accordingly, cleaning of product pressurised spraying equipment is anadditional problem to the basic inability of such equipment toadequately spray the mixture. Farmers have accordingly reverted todirectly applying UDDERGOLD™ by teat dipping.

It would be desirable to provide spraying methods and apparatus thatwould minimise the contact of such viscous and corrosive/reactivemixtures with componentry of same. It would further be desirable toenable the effective spraying of viscous mixtures such as the UDDERGOLD™treatments. It would further be desirable to provide a spraying devicethat would be of comparatively low cost, minimise product loss due torun off, relatively easy to clean and also requires relatively smallvolumes of preparation in operation thereby minimising wastage andoptimal utilisation of preparations with short shelf lives and highcost. It would further be desirable to provide a spraying device thatwould enable antiseptic preparations to penetrate into cow's teats andexert an antiseptic effect there.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoingproblems or difficulties or at least to provide the public with a usefulchoice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of exampleonly.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided anair spray device for spraying a veterinarian mixture, said deviceincluding

(a) a mixture delivery line to deliver mixture from a source to a mixingchamber, and

(b) the air delivery lines to deliver air from a source to the mixingchamber, and

(c) control means for controlling the rate of delivery of mixture and/orto the mixing chamber, and

(d) a nozzle,

wherein the arrangement and configuration of the mixing chamber is suchthat the venturi effect is harnessed to mix the preparation and air,and/or atomise the mixture prior to spraying same out through thenozzle.

The air spray device of the present invention may be purpose built ormay preferably be made by adapting generically available engine guns.The overall structure and operation of same is known, and it is notproposed to further describe same.

In a preferred embodiment, the arrangement and configuration of themixing chamber may be such that the point at where the air is deliveredto the mixing chamber is closer to the nozzle than the point at whichthe mixture is delivered to the mixing chamber such that when air entersthe mixing chamber ahead of the mixture, the mixture is impelled byventuri effect to leave the delivery lines and enter the mixing chamber,being atomised and/or carried as droplets upon contact with the air, andenabling its exit from same as spray.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is providedan improved spraying device comprising

(a) mixture delivery lines to deliver mixture from a source through alance to a mixing chamber,

(b) air delivery lines to deliver air from a source through a lance to amixing chamber,

(c) control means for controlling the rate of delivery of mixture andair to the mixing chamber,

(d) a nozzle,

wherein the arrangement and configuration of the device and/or nozzle issuch that the mixture is carried and/or delivered in an atomised spraytherefrom.

In a preferred embodiment the mixture to be sprayed using the spraydevice may be a veterinarian preparation. Such preparations may beadapted to provide an antiseptic effect when applied to the mammaryglands or teats of a cow.

In a preferred embodiment where the mixture to be sprayed may be aveterinarian preparation which is a relatively viscous fluid. Suchfluids may have a viscosity of between 50-250 centre strokes on the ISOVG scale.

In a further preferred embodiment the present invention is adapted tospray a mixture with a viscosity between 100-150 centre strokes on theISO VG scale. In a further preferred embodiment the preparation to besprayed may be product marketed in the United States as UDDERGOLD™ andmanufactured by Alcide Corporation.

Preferably the arrangement and configuration of the nozzle is such thatit is substantially increased from the aperture size conventionally usedin such air spray devices. The widening of the aperture, may be to anyextent considered suitable yet remaining effective for the purposes ofthe present invention. Preferably the aperture of the nozzle may benarrower in the mid point of the nozzle than at the entry point and exitpoint of the aperture thereby accelerating the passage of mixture andair entering the nozzle. The aperture of the nozzle may thus have a wideentry point tapering to the midpoint for acceleration purposes, and thentapering out again providing a wide exit point enabling acorrespondingly wide angle of penetrating spray.

The width of the apertures throughout the nozzle may vary eg betweensubstantially 3-5 mm, depending on the viscosity of the liquid desiredto be sprayed ie wider for more viscous liquids and vice versa

The pressure of air supplied to the air delivery line should be greatenough so that when mixture is sprayed from the nozzle onto a cow's teatthe mixture is delivered at sufficient pressure to completely coat andseal the cow's teat, as well as to penetrate into the teat through theteat canal, and seal same. This is an unexpected result of using suchair spray equipment that has significant advantages in that sealing theteat canal provides a very effective barrier against infection.

Preferably, but not exclusively, the source of air supplied to airdelivery lines may consist of a 4-14 cubic foot air compressor thatdelivers air at approximately 20-100 psi. Using such compressor allowsthe air spray device to work effectively and allows the invention to beimplemented using relatively inexpensive components.

According to another aspect of the present invention there may beprovided an air spray device substantially as described above, whereinthe arrangement and configuration of the nozzle is such that the nozzleis supported at substantially 60-90° to the axis of the lance.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is providedan air spray device which includes:

(a) mixture delivery lines to deliver mixture from a source through alance to a mixing chamber,

(b) air delivery lines to deliver air from a source through a lance to amixing chamber,

(c) control means for controlling the rate of delivery of mixture andair to the mixing chamber,

(d) a nozzle,

wherein the length of the lance is substantially longer than thatconventionally used in off the shelf engine guns.

The lance may be lengthened to any extent considered suitable and yetremaining effective for the purposes of the present invention, but maypreferably be substantially between 20 to 40 centimetres. In a furtherpreferred embodiment the length of the lance may be extended tosubstantially 35 centimetres.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is providedan air spray device substantially as described above wherein the sourceof the mixture may be a container which enables accurate measuring andpreparation of the mixture. Preferably this may be a graduated plasticpreparation bottle having clearly marked level markings. The plasticbottle may preferably house a chemical resistant plastic suction pipe,into which mixture may enter through a non return valve, be fed througha screw-on cap of the plastic bottle and then into the mixture deliverylines of the air spray device.

However, in one embodiment mixture may be supplied to a mixture deliveryline under pressure. In such an embodiment mixture may be supplied tothe air spray device along a pressurised supply line from a large remotereservoir. In some instances a large volume of mixture may need to bedispensed in a short period of time, and this would normally empty acontainer of mixture attached to the air spray device.

The use of a remote reservoir also allows for automation of the mixingprocess that forms the mixture to be sprayed. In one embodimentautomated mixing may be accomplished with use of automated meteringpumps that respond to a sensed pressure in the supply line.

Preferably the mixture delivery lines may be thickened stainless steeltubes. The overall diameter of the stainless steel tubes deliveringmixture to the mixing chamber may be substantially 12 millimetres,having walls 1.5 millimetres thick.

The dimensions of the stainless tube delivery air to the mixing chambermay be substantially 6 millimetres overall diameter, with substantially1-1.5 millimetre thick walls.

In a preferred embodiment any element or elements of the invention suchnozzle, lance or handle may be constructed from materials which resistthe corrosive effects of mixtures to be sprayed by same. In such anembodiment any or all of these elements may be constructed from eitheraluminium, stainless steel or a plastic formed from copolymerpolypropylene. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in theart that other materials may be used to construct the above componentsand reference to the above only throughout this specification should inno way be seen as limiting.

In a preferred embodiment a layer of corrosion resistant material mayalso be applied to an element or elements of the air spray device. Forexample, in some embodiments components may be covered with a tefloncoating, or may be coated with a corrosion resistant metal throughanodising, or may be plated with nickel through electrolysis.

In a preferred embodiment the air spray device may include a singleactivating control that controls the opening positions of two valvingelements, thereby controlling the amounts of both mixture and airdelivered to the mixing chamber. This configuration of the inventionsubstantially simplifies the controls to be actuated by the user whilegiving control of the performance of the invention.

In such an embodiment a sliding valve arrangement may be used Thisconfiguration allows a single movement of a trigger to move both valveheads and allow air and the mixture to be supplied to the nozzle. Theapplicants believe that this configuration of the invention should beused when the mixture to be sprayed is supplied under pressure to theair spray device. However, in alternative embodiments the activatingcontrol of the air spray device may not control the amounts of both airand mixture delivered to the mixing chamber. In one alternativeembodiment an activating control may control the amount of air onlydelivered to the mixing chamber. In such an embodiment it is envisionedthat the supply of mixture to the air spray device may be via a bottleor container attached to same.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is providedan air spray device substantially as described above wherein it has beenergonomically enhanced including changing the angle of the nozzle as isnoted above, together with enlarging a handle of the spray device whichpermits the same to be hung from a hook mechanism when not in use.

In one embodiment the head of the spray device may be formed into ahandle that includes an aperture, allowing the invention to be hung froma hook when not in use.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provideda method of spraying a mixture from an air spray device comprising thesteps of:

(a) attaching sources of mixture and air to delivery lines,

(b) operating control means for said delivery lines to deliver mixtureand air to a mixing chamber,

(c) spraying the resulting atomised mixture through a nozzle onto adesired substrate.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method of altering an off-the-shelf generic air spray devicecomprising any one or more of the following steps:

1 altering the arrangement and configuration of the mixing chamber sothat a viscous mixture may be effectively atomised,

2 enlarging the aperture of the nozzle,

3 placing the nozzle at substantially 60-90° to the axis of the lance,

4 extending the length of the lance.

In a preferred embodiment the length of the lance may be extended to alength of approximately 20 to 40 centimetres, preferably beingapproximately 35 centimetres.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention ismore than a simple adaptation of an existing type of air sprayingdevice. To work effectively to spray relatively viscous veterinarianproducts, a number of major adaptations are required to existing airspraying devices.

The mixing chamber used must be firstly modified to allow the viscouspreparation to be atomised effectively, while the length and orientationof a lance used in the device must also be modified to ensure that adevice may be easily and effectively used in a cow shed. Adaptations arealso required for an aperture or apertures in the spray devices nozzleto ensure that the substantially viscous preparation to be sprayed exitsthe spray device in an atomised form.

Such a spray device may preferably be driven by an adequate source ofpressurised air that can supply air between 20-100 psi. This pressureusually ensures that a cow's teat is completely coated and sealed by thepreparation sprayed as well as allowing or providing for the sprayedpreparation to penetrate up into the teat canal of the cow. However, indifferent configurations of the various components, other air pressuresmay also allow for the sealing or penetration of the teat or teat canal.

The present invention provides many advantages over existing prior artdevices, in addition to those already described.

For example, the present invention allows viscous veterinarianpreparations to be sprayed effectively. Preferably the present inventionis adapted to allow preparations for the viscosity of between 100-150centre strokes on the ISO VG scale to be sprayed. To date no othersystems are known which allow such preparations to be applied as quicklyand as efficiently as is allowed with the present invention.

The present invention may also be relatively inexpensive to produceusing modified air spraying devices. This substantially reduces theresulting cost of manufacture for the invention.

The present invention also allows a veterinarian product spray device tobe implemented at a relatively low cost which will minimise the amountof product that is used or that runs off a cow's teats in use and whichis easy to clean.

The invention may also be specifically adapted to be used withsubstantially corrosive materials. The present invention may be adapted,by using appropriate materials as described previously, to allow thesematerials to be sprayed without damaging the spray device itself.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description that is given by way of example only and withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 a sectional view of part of an air spray device according to oneaspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a nozzle end of an air spray deviceaccording to one aspect of the present invention, and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a mixture source according to a furtheraspect of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional side view of an air spray deviceconfigured in accordance with the present invention, and

FIGS. 5 and 6 show enlarged views of the circled nozzle and valveassemblies shown in FIG. 4.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1 the body portion generally indicated by the arrow 1of an air spray device according to one aspect of the present inventionbeing of conventional structure and comprising body and handle 3,mixture flow controller 5, compressed air flow controller 7, on/offtrigger 9, seal 11, gland nut 13, trigger return spring 15, mixturedelivery line represented by stainless tube 17 and air delivery linerepresented by stainless steel tube 19. Also shown are points ofattachment for the source of mixture represented by threaded portion 21,and point of attachment of source of compressed air represented bythreaded portion 23.

Referring to FIG. 2 there is illustrated the head portion of a spraydevice being one embodiment of the present invention, generallyrepresented by the arrow 25. It can be seen that at the end of the lanceportion 27 there is supported a nozzle head 29 supporting the nozzle 31at a substantially 90° angle in relation to the axis of the lance 27.Below the nozzle 31 the mixing chamber 33 is shown, into which mixturecarried by stainless steel tube 17 and air delivered by stainless steeltube 19 is delivered.

In use, the sources of mixture and compressed air are screwed intothreads 21 and 23. Trigger 9 is then depressed permitting compressedair, at a rate controlled by airflow controller 7, to enter intostainless steel tube 19. Compressed air forces its way down stainlesssteel tube 19 and exits same into mixing chamber 33, the force of whichsucks mixture out of stainless steel tube 17 and carries and/or atomisessame. From the mixing chamber 33 the carried and/or atomised mixture isfurther carried by the air out of the nozzle 31 and applied on theintended site of application (not shown).

It will be appreciated the air spray device of the present inventioneffectively harnesses the venturi effect in utilising compressed air tosuck the mixture from the delivery lines 17 of the spray device andcarry and/or atomise same, aided by the shape and configuration of themixing chamber 33 and widened and tapering inner portions of nozzle 31.The mixture is thus uniformly applied to the teats, forming a thin buteffective total barrier for same.

Because of the length of the lance 27 and substantially uprightorientation of the nozzle 31, the spray device may be easily located ina correct position beneath the udder of a cow, and an UDDERGOLD™ mixturesprayed directly upwards onto each teat. The inventors have indeed foundthat the design and configuration of the nozzle, and resulting pressureof the spray, has particularly aided prophylactics of mastitis in thatthe force of the spray forces minute quantities of the UDDERGOLD™treatment mixture to penetrate through the teat opening into theinterior of same effectively sealing the teat from exposure to outsidecontaminants and exerting treatment effect on the interior of the teat.The teat is thereby completely sealed.

In contrast, after milking a droplet of milk commonly remains on theteat outside the opening for a period of approximately 10-15 minutes.This can prolong the period of time after milking for which the teathole remains open, and thereby susceptible to the entry of bacteria.Accordingly, when dipping or spraying with other treatment mixtures suchas iodine, the iodine is prevented from setting or forming an intactcoating for the teat in the proximity of the opening. The contaminantswould accordingly be able to enter the opening of the teat. Further,iodine is a relatively weak antiseptic, and is considered to remaineffective on the teat for no longer than twenty minutes. Thesedisadvantages are overcome by the spray application of a penetratingsealant barrier with a spray device of the present invention ofUDDERGOLD™ treatment preparation.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a source of mixture for usewith a spray device of the present invention, comprising a plasticbottle 35 into which is inserted a tube 37 having a non-return valve 39at the end of it. The feed tube 37 accordingly leads to and screws intoinlet thread 21.

It will be appreciated the spray device of the present invention, notbeing a product pressurised spray device, can be operated with a minimumof treatment preparation flowing through the delivery lines 17, iseasily cleaned, and can be purchased and operated at relatively lowcost. Mixture is used far more productively than present applicationmethods permit, and the spraying of UDDERGOLD™ treatments is consideredthree times more effective than direct application, for example bydipping. Dipping leaves a wastefully thick layer of treatment on theteats.

FIG. 4 shows in the air spray device 41 configured in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

The air spray device 41 includes air delivery line 42, veterinarianpreparation delivery lines 43, a valve assembly 44 and a nozzle 45.

The main body of the device is formed into a handle 46 that includes anaperture 47. The aperture 47 is adapted so that the device 41 may behung from a hook when not in use.

The air spray device 41 also includes an activating control, shown inthis embodiment as a trigger 48. Depression of the trigger towards thehandle 46 will activate the valve assembly 44.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the nozzle 45 shown in FIG. 4.

The nozzle 45 includes an air delivery line 42, a preparation deliveryline 43 and a mixing chamber 51. The mixing chamber 51 is adapted sothat the point at which air is delivered into the mixing chamber iscloser to the end of the nozzle than the point at which the preparationis delivered into the mixing chamber 51.

As can also be seen from FIG. 5 the mixing chamber 51 includes arelatively wide entry point 61, a narrower middle section 62 and anotherwide exit point 63, allowing same to harness the venturi effect to spraypreparation out from the nozzle.

FIG. 6 shows an expanded view of the valve assembly 44 of FIG. 4.

In the embodiment shown the valve assembly 44 controls the amount ofboth air and preparation supplied to the nozzle 45. The valve assemblyincludes two valve members 52. Each of the valve members 52 includes aninternal channel (not shown) which may match up valve assembly inlets 56with outlets 54.

Depression of the trigger 48 will cause both sliding valve members 52 tomove down within the valve chamber 53, thereby forming a channel to eachof the outlets 54 of the valve assembly. The pressure which is appliedto the trigger 48 will therefore determine how far down the valvechamber 53 each of the valve heads 52 travel, and hence the size of theresulting channel through the valve assembly and the amount of air andpreparation which may pass through same.

The valve assembly 44 also includes a preparation metering control,shown in this embodiment as a needle valve 55. The main body of theneedle valve may be screwed into or out of the valve assembly to controlthe amount of preparation that may flow through same and into a mixturesupply line 43.

The air spray devices shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 have been specificallyadapted to spray mixtures or preparations with viscosities of between100-150 centre strokes on the ISO VG scale.

It is considered a spray device of the present invention and the methodsof using same, represent a significant advance over the prior art interms of the efficient application of preparations, and particularlysubstantially viscous veterinarian preparations, to a desired substrate.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of exampleonly and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions maybe made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined inthe appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A method of treating or preventing diseases affecting theteats of a cow, said method comprising the steps of: attaching a sourceof a veterinary preparation having a viscosity of between 1-200 centerstrokes on the ISO VG scale to a mixture delivery line of an air spraydevice, the air spray device including a mixing chamber, the mixturedelivery line for delivering preparation from the source to the mixingchamber, an air delivery line, a control means, and a nozzle adjacentthe mixing chamber; attaching a source of air to the air delivery lineto deliver air to the mixing chamber; controlling the rate of deliveryof at least one of the preparation and air to the mixing chamber withthe control means; mixing the preparation and air in the mixing chamber;and spraying the atomized mixture through the nozzle; wherein thearrangement and configuration of the mixing chamber is such that theventuri effect is harnessed to mix the preparation and air and atomizethe mixture prior to spraying same out through the nozzle.
 2. A methodas claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressure of sprayed preparation allowspreparation to penetrate the teat or teat canal of the cow.
 3. A methodas claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the pressure at which the preparationis sprayed from the air spray device is capable of coating the teats ofa cow.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preparation has aviscosity of between 100-150 center strokes on the ISO VG scale.
 5. Amethod as claimed in claim 1 wherein air is supplied to the air deliveryline at a pressure of between 40-60 psi from an 8-10 cubic footcompressor.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein thepressure at which the preparation is sprayed from; the spray device iscapable of sealing the teats of a cow.
 7. The method as claimed in claim1, wherein the pressure at which the preparation is sprayed from thespray device and the volume of the preparation sprayed is capable ofcoating the teats of a cow.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 7,wherein the pressure at which the preparation is sprayed from the spraydevice and the volume of the preparation sprayed is capable of sealingthe teats of a cow.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein thevolume of preparation sprayed is sufficient to coat the teats of a cow.10. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 9, wherein the volume ofpreparation sprayed is sufficient to seal the teats of a cow.